Monday, 1 December 2008

Give solutions to problems riddling the Bishnupriya Manipuri society

BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI: CASE STUDY……..DARE TO GIVE SOLUTIONS OF THE PROBLEMS

Case study is a process of learning practically which provides somebody the capability to find options of solutions of the problems one may face in his daily life or in future by discussing various past and current cases. Case is discussed among a group of members, asked to have a brainstorming session and come out with some innovative solutions individually. It has been a great success of capability building in learning process, accepted and used by many premier business schools, business corporates. It enables to get a pool of innovative ideas out of which one can choose the best option based on the current circumstances. While going through many company's case studies, suddenly an idea clicked. Idea is about making case studies on various currently happening issues of Bishnupriya Manipuri people living in remote villages, towns, cities and abroad. So, a small effort is made on making some case studies which are currently happening with Bishnupriya Manipuri people. Identities like names; addresses etc. are concealed so as to give respect to the individual privacy of the people who are involved in these cases. It is requested and appreciated not to use the names of the people involved in the cases while discussing, if one can identify. All Bishnupriya Manipuri intellectual peoples are requested to go through the cases thoroughly and give solutions under the given circumstances. The suggestions will be communicated to the people concerned which will help them in taking decisions.

THE CASES ARE BASED ON REAL STORIES

Case 1: A non-Brahmin guy fell in love with a Brahmin girl in a Bishnupriya Manipuri village. As the relation is not socially accepted, they did not have any other option except running from village and they did so. It became a big issue in the village and other villages nearby especially from the Brahmins side that how could the Brahmin girl ran away with a non Brahmin guy. Both the families were very upset with that incident and from that day, both of them have not been allowed to enter the village. As time goes on, both the family members realise the absence of their children and communicate with them in secret. The fear is that if society comes to know about it, it will point out its finger on it and threaten their social status which is very important to live in a village and is like hell to live without. Both the families want to accept the couple socially but do not take the approach as villagers and society will not accept it. When the issue was discussed with the senior members of the village, they told how they could accept it and go against their ancestors who never accepted it. They are afraid to accept if other villagers comment on it. So, everybody is keeping quiet, nobody is taking approach to bring the couple and their families together as that will create a bad reputation and lose his so called izzat. Both the families cannot take initiative, fear is what villagers will say, similar is the case with the villagers being afraid of other villagers comment on it. Finally both the couple and their families are suffering to maintain the social norms.

Problem:

(a) Should the couple be socially accepted? Justify your point.

(b) What approach should be taken by the families and the villagers so that they can accept their children and BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI society will not point out finger on them?

Case 2:

In a BISHNUPRIYA MANIPURI village, a Brahmin family has accepted its son and his non Brahmin wife who did court marriage. Some villagers have accepted it while some have protested. Based on the acceptance of the marriage couple socially and allowing the Brahmin groom to participate in rituals viz. leisaange puja dena, mantra solkorani, baandara radani etc. the villagers are splitted into two groups out of which one group has accepted and other has not. All invitations (Bartons) are banned between the two groups, so no participation of social activities between them. Even the group who does not accept the marriage couple is planning to hire one more Brahmin in that village and set up a new temple and maalthep. A village of 50 houses is going to be split up. Youths and children are suffering as they are protested to mingle with their friends belonging to other group. Unity is broken into bits and pieces.

Problem:

(a) Should the groom and the bride be allowed in ritual activities? Justify your point

(b) Give a solution of splitting of the village into two maaltheps and maintain their unity.